Shapechange

[Tempus]

I am curious as to what the races are that rangers can shapechange into..


From the races we offer, Mystra edited the total list and came up with the following which she felt were good roleplaying shape changing possibilities for rangers and druids. Note that the list leans towards natural animals and not monsters or undead or super powerful things like dragons. To us a ranger would change into the races they would have an IC affinity with, something natural. An ally from nature.

• insect
• ape
• dog
• bird
• bear
• horse
• snake
• cat
• lizard
• beetle
• pig
• rat
• frog
• crab
• fish
• griffon
• centaur
• bat
• spider
• rabbit
• panther
• wolf
• scorpion
• treant

[Ketjana]

There are two races not on the list compiled by Mystra which I was wondering about. Pixie and Faerie Dragons. Both would be considered allies to rangers and I could see a ranger using them as a shapechange. Pixies especially as they would be similar to a centaur in the respect they are a normal race in FR.

[Mingus]

Smart versions of what you listed, a Lizardman or a Tri-krin?(spelling??)

As stated dragons are not a choice but what about a wyvern(young/baby)

As a fish can I breath underwater and do I sufficate if I'm on land? Or do I need to cast the breath spell and remember not to walk on land. I persume it doesn't include sharks(evil?). Also dolfins, wales, sealions ect ect too no? If sea mammals are allowed, can swim be temporarly made GM so as not to drown or make it so you don't drown period.

Hows the policy on were forms? ie werebear, wereraven, wereboar, ect, ect (No werewolf or wolfwere since these are considered evil, maybe for Malarites)

If pixies are allowed, will their entire family group too? eg nixies brownies nymphs ect ect.

If you're an underdark druid, is an Umberhulk out of the question?

How about smart/dumb vegitation? Mycoids/Elm tree

And lastly, in the wilderness, can you join a flawk of stirges without becoming dinner? Or even in the same form, the aggresive mobs are agg to anything else... even there own.

[Tempus]

The forms in the list given above were suggestions, not an exhaustive list. Use of other forms is dependent on your RP, but please do have appropriate RP before choosing to use an 'exotic' form.

The abilities and availability of other forms is something you will need to determine IC.

Wereforms should not be used by rangers, if it is even possible - these are not 'natural' forms.

[Lathander]

It is very important that rangers and druids employing the skill do so with appropriate rp. The location of the transformation is one consideration. Changing in front of someone who is not accostomed to seeing such things would be frowned upon.

Similarly, once the change occurs it is important to consider how your new form will be treated by others who do not know you for the druid/ranger you were before. A ranger who changes into a bear is not a friendly sight in the Waterdeep square. It is considered poor rp for characters to have overtly dangerous pets in the Square: panthers, bears, etc. Therefore it must be the same for those who shapechange into such creatures.

Repeated abuse of the shapechange skill by repeatedly ignoring such things may result in the removal of the ability.

[Tempus]

For the second time in almost as many days I have been informed of misuse of the shapechange skill.

As a ranger using this skill you are entrusted with the responsibility to use it appopriately. This is the last warning for any rangers not considering the actions they make while shapechanged. You will lose the ability to use this skill if you abuse it.

Examples of inappropriate actions include, but are not limited to

• Mounting and riding a horse while shapechanged.
• Speaking as a shapechanged animal without consideration to an appropriate vocabulary. While you maintain the mental facility to form complicated expressions, your new form most likely does not have the ability to express complex thoughts with its biomechanical limitations.
• Opening doors unless your new form has appropriate appendages.
• Wearing equipment unless it is specifically made for that form (e.g. barding on a horse)
• Casting spells as a form that realistically should not allow you to do so. (That is, casting spells requires a human-like voice and human-like hands)